The British Railway Stories - Paperback now out!

[S.A.C. Martin]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I have spoken with Richard about this a few weeks ago, but as some of you may or may not be aware, I'm publishing the first in a series of Children's books in 2012, titled "Tale of the Unnamed Engine" and the first in The British Railway Stories.

The book takes place in Leeds, Copley Hill, in 1948/9, and has around forty illustrations which have been created from studying photographs in and around that time frame. The main story is entirely in LNER territory, so LNER locomotives and rolling stock, architecture and similar will be present.

My question is - if I were to showcase some cropped versions of the full artwork here, would it be possible to garner feedback on their depictions of the LNER areas illustrated?

I so very much want to get the colours and the overall look historically right, and whilst my artist is extremely talented, neither he nor I were alive in 1948/9 and thus can only go on that we've read in books, sadly...!

My own knowledge has definite limitations which I'd like to go beyond (far beyond!), and anything and everything which might help me in the way of a nudge towards this book, and that book to read, would be much appreciated.

Here's some information on my intentions with this series of books for anyone so inclined.

[S.A.C. Martin]

I'll just leave these samples here then.



King's Cross.



New Barnet.

EDIT: For change to the above location.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

Simon, I wish you every success in this.

[S.A.C. Martin]

Thanks very much chap.

[52D]

Congrats on getting so far, i think i have seen every episode and they definitely have an LNER feel. Looking forward to the new media.

[StevieG]

S.A.C.,
Yes indeed, good luck with this venture.

I realise the illustrations may need to only give a good impression of railway scenes, but may I mention, if it's of any consequence to you for your purposes, that regarding the second sample, 'Finsbury Park' never looked anything like that, having never had an overhead booking hall etc. building.
Although not a perfect match for anywhere that I know (and anyway, I certainly don't know the whole ECML), to me it has more of the flavour of a down train at New Barnet, or perhaps Hornsey.

All the best.
Cheers!

[S.A.C. Martin]

Hi Stevie - thanks for your comments. That shot is based on a photograph my grandfather took of 60114 in 1949. On the back it says Finsbury Park - perhaps he wrote it down wrongly?

I'll have to look up New Barnet and Hornsey - thankfully this is just the front cover illustration, but I will go through the rest of the illustrations with caution now. Many thanks in any event.

[69999]

The image of the A1 at 'Finsbury Park' is identical to a photograph of 60114 on page 54 of 'The Book of the A1 and A2 Pacifics' by Peter J Coster published by Irwell Press in 2007. The location is given as New Barnet. It is suggested that this is one of the first A1 pictures published. The train was the 1750 KX - Newcastle. Date June 24 1949. Loco in superb condition and a superb photograph. Unfortunately not credited. Who was your Grandfather?
Regards
DG

[manna]

G'Day Gents

My first thoughts were Ah, 'New Barnet' it's even got the 'Goods Yard' buildings, other than that, very good, keep up the good work on advertizing the Eastern Region.

manna

[S.A.C. Martin]

The image of the A1 at 'Finsbury Park' is identical to a photograph of 60114 on page 54 of 'The Book of the A1 and A2 Pacifics' by Peter J Coster published by Irwell Press in 2007. The location is given as New Barnet. It is suggested that this is one of the first A1 pictures published. The train was the 1750 KX - Newcastle. Date June 24 1949. Loco in superb condition and a superb photograph. Unfortunately not credited. Who was your Grandfather?
Regards
DG

I have seen that photograph, but it is not the same as the one my grandfather took, though clearly from the same location and not unlikely the same time. I hadn't twigged it was one and the same place due to the difference in the angle of the photographs, though looking closely at the buildings in the background (which Dean has replicated very well) they are clearly the same location. My grandfather is Stanley Charles Carvin though I doubt that is of relevance to Mr Coster's excellent edition, however that begs the question - how close were they to one another, or is the photograph I have one another print of the other photographer and not my late grandfather's?

G'Day Gents

My first thoughts were Ah, 'New Barnet' it's even got the 'Goods Yard' buildings, other than that, very good, keep up the good work on advertizing the Eastern Region.

manna

Thank you kindly.

[S.A.C. Martin]

Different artwork today. Can anyone guess where this is - and if they can, are there any particular areas, mistakes, or improvements Dean and I could make to make the image more convincing?

[60800]

How about the white strip on the platform edge, and maybe some bright yellowish-ish light in the signal box to make the picture a bit more busy?

In saying that though, I know full well I couldn't do better myself

[StevieG]

Inspired by Leeds Central ? (Not really my area of knowledge.)

[S.A.C. Martin]

Inspired by Leeds Central ? (Not really my area of knowledge.)

Spot on the money StevieG - it is indeed Leeds Central. We drew on a variety of sources, including one particular photograph for the angle of the A1, married with a few other pictures to show the signalbox and the buildings behind.

[Blink Bonny]

Ay up!

I should have spotted that one! I was thinking Peterborough.....